Replace old sprinkler heads to save water, money
Article and illustration submitted by Mark Shively, Douglas County Water Resource Authority
As spring weather returns and summertime is just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about firing up the sprinkler system again. Turning on your system may reveal some things have changed since the last time you watered the lawn. That may mean a call to the sprinkler repairman, or a trip to the local hardware store.
Tired of paying higher bills? Want to get rid of old sprinkler heads and replace them with new ones that can cut the watering bill by 30 percent? A lot of money is spent on the water bill during the summer, especially for HOAs. HOAs may spend up tp $10,000 every year just for water. Wouldn’t it be great if an HOA could save $3,000 this summer? It is possibe to save money right in your own yard without being an HOA.
The new sprinkler heads are called “rotary sprinkler nozzles” and they are available at your local hardware store. Most manufacturers offer them. The design shoots streams of water, rather than a mist. The streams reduce evaporation, putting more water to the roots of the grass. The new heads may be called “rotators” or “eco-streams.”
They cost around $7 each. If there are twenty heads in a yard, the upgrade might cost $140. A watering bill that averages $75 per month during the watering season, will have the heads paid for in six months. Most everyone can pay for this change in two seasons. From then on, you save money and you save water. Some water providers offer rebates of $5 per head.
While at the store, ask about “automatic rain shut-offs.” Nobody likes to drive down the street and see sprinklers watering in the middle of a rainstorm. The same is true at a house. The shut-off will make sure not to water the grass if Mother Nature is taking care of that already. Wireless models are now available, so installation does not involve a bunch of wires.
When back at home, make sure the sprinklers are aimed at watering grass, not concrete. Take a look at the irrigation clock to make sure it has been reset recently. Most folks tend to overwater because the clocks have not been checked since the day they were installed. Think about taking five minutes to make sure your clock operates properly. It is your dough, so water slow.
These water and money saving ideas are brought to you by Douglas County Water Resource Authority. For easy to use tips and for information about rebates that help you pay for the costs of using water more wisely, visit www.DCWater.org. Serious conservation, serious results.
